Another bag winner.

Hello again. Very windy weather today, so I have been indoors a lot. Almost finished the Walled Garden picture, looking good.

I have pulled a name out of a box, no hats available, and have a winner for the second shopping bag. Step forward Lilly's Mom, and tell me your postal address so I can post it off to you. Put it in a comment which I won't publish, or use the email address on the side bar.

It's getting late and the battery is getting a bit low in my brain, it's starting to malfunction. I am a morning person so I will be back tomorrow when suitably refreshed after a nights sleep. Thanks for popping in.
Toodle pip

A hand made book cover, and are you a lucky winner.

Hello. What a difference a day makes, warm, sunny, and wonderful here, lets hope it holds out. Thank you for your comments on the previous post, you have given me a lot to think about. I hope you don't mind but I took a day off blogging yesterday to give the slow readers chance to catch up, ha ha. Well that's my excuse anyway. 

I've made a cover for a book, to give myself a bit of practice. I thought I would do this first before making an actual book. Cut a piece of the fancy paper a fraction wider than the book, and a few inches longer. Add some stitching to the front. The chain stitch is in pink but it doesn't show up very well on the photo. Didn't have a plan, just stuck the needle in. I did it quickly.   

Blanket stitch along the top and bottom edge .

The inside of the cover. I stuck a piece of self adhesive paper over the back of the stitching to cover it up.

And what was the book? An old copy of Ilona, by Hans Habe. A friend found this book in a box in a charity shop about 25 years ago down in Southampton. When she saw it she thought of me. It was first published in Great Britain in 1962, the German edition was printed in 1960. This one is in English but I also have copies of it in both German and English, five copies in total.

The story is in three parts, three generations of women. Ilona the mother, Zita her daughter, and Eva the granddaughter. It takes the reader through Vienna and Budapest at the time of the Emporer Franz Joseph, the St Petersburg of Rasputin, the Italian front during the first world war, Germany under the Weimar Republic, France battling with inflation, Germany during the nights of bombing, America in the course of the second world war, and finally liberated Europe. It's a long time since I last read it, I must read it again one day.

I have a bit of news for you. Surprise surprise, another secret prize draw. Remember the green bags that Janet made, she has donated two of them (both cats), to be given away free to two lucky readers, so I asked her to pull two names out of the hat from those who commented on that particular post. So step forward........
CAZ and HELEN D. You are the winners.
Please send me your postal address either in an email, or a comment which I will not publish. Ta very muchly.

Off outside now to get a few rays of sunshine. Toodle pip

Psssst, want to know a secret ;o))

'Ello 'ello 'ello, what's all this 'ere then? Food, that's what. A quick rundown of my meals over the last few days. I don't count calories, or add up points, or weigh portions, luckily I like the healthy stuff. I do have a bit of naughty stuff, but I limit myself. Naughty food is for now and again, not every day. 

Regular food for me is porridge, bran flakes, fruit juices, veg, salad, fruit, pulses, nuts, pasta, rice, cous cous, noodles, some dairy, cheese and yogurt. 

I bought a pack of fresh tagliatelle for around £1, I split this into three meals. Garlic mushrooms with grated cheese, love this. 

Salad - grated carrot, iceberg lettuce, spinach, grated cheese, and chopped celery.

A tasty stew made with carrots, celeriac, runner beans, and a tin of tomatoes. Just eaten a bowl of this with a chunk of wholemeal bread, one large pan makes four portions. Mostly I eat it over two or three days, sometimes I freeze it in margarine tubs.

Lunch today was a happy salad. same as above, with boiled eggs.  

Twas a nice day to take a walk in the park, a bit chilly but ok if you are wrapped up. As I walk around our village I see a lot of people just out for a walk. Some of them walk the mile to the park, then around it, and back again. I drive there, because Rocky can't walk that far. He loves it snuffling away in the grass, then his head comes up and he has a dead leaf stuck to his whiskers, it makes me laugh. Sometimes he spots a squirrel and makes a half hearted attempt to catch it, then stands at the bottom of a tree looking up, watching the squirrel make his escape. 

The ducks all came across the pond to see us, hoping for some food. I always feel guilty not having anything for them. There is a notice up saying only feed them with grain bought from the shop, I haven't seen anyone throw bread in for them. 

Here's an idea of what to do with an old suitcase. Two pets, both want a bed near the fire. I had an old wooden drawer here but it was a bit cumbersome, took up too much space. This is a much better arrangement. The favourite is the side where Mayze is, so if Rocky is first in he takes it. They swap about and will lie in either side. Good idea I thought.  

And now for a surprise, I like surprises, don't you. I was asked what I do with the bags I make, answer, I give them away. Up to 9pm tonight, 417 people viewed yesterdays post, and 17 people commented. I have had a draw and four people have each won a bag. So, please send me your postal address and I will send you one. You can send it in a comment, which I won't publish, or you can email me, address on the side.

Primroses Attic
Aussie Cheryl
Destemona
Quin 

I like doing secret giveaways. A lot more fun than loads of people trying to win something.
Toodle pip

We have a winner

Hiya peeps, The broadband is acting up tonight, everything is running soooper
s-l-o-w. I've been busy sorting stuff out for tomorrow, the car is packed to the roof with stuff, we've got far too much chuffin STUFF. I've only booked a 6 foot pitch and that was £21, no reduction for charities. It's an early start so I've made my sandwiches, boiled two eggs, and made a diluted fruit juice drink tonight. I am not looking forward to unloading that car, where are we going to put all that STUFF. I hope we sell it all, don't want to bring any STUFF back.

Whilst sorting stuff out I decided we had no room in the car for an office chair, it was recovered from the house clearance skip if you remember. I don't want it here cluttering the place up so I put it outside on the pavement with a note on it, Free to good home. When I looked half an hour later it had gone. Glad someone can make use of it. I can't be bothered to do Freegle, would rather pass large things on locally. I've seen a few people put 'free to take' things at the front of their house.

Anyway, it's just a quickie tonight. I have a winner for the wonky bag. There were 30 names, I wrote them down on a big piece of paper then cut them up into small pieces. Turned them over, shuffled them up, and picked one out. Sorry to those who weren't lucky, the winner is.......

foreveryoung  

Please send me your postal address, either in an email, or in a comment, which I obviously won't publish. Well done. 

Thanks for popping in, I'm off to bed now. Goodnight

Wonky bag.

Hello. It was enrolment day today at the college where you can go along and discuss which courses you are interested in. I have marked a couple in the brochure and wanted to speak to someone to get more information. 

There is a sewing club for six weeks, and I asked what kind of sewing is it, is there a teacher, and what do you make. The very helpful lady said it's a lot of fun, last term everyone made a skirt. Well that didn't float my boat, I very rarely wear a skirt. I told her I get most of my clothes from charity shops and car boot sales, so it seems hardly worth the bother and expense to make my own. She asked me what kind of sewing I am interested in, I said mainly recycling textiles. She took my details and said she would speak to the tutor, and maybe come up with some ideas that I would be interested in. 

There is another course I want to join so I filled a form out for that. Up-cycled textiles sounds more like me, that one starts in November for six weeks. For £40 the price is quite good, and will get me out meeting people when the weather turns a bit colder. It will save on my heating bill, ha ha. 

While I was in town I paid my credit card bill into the bank. It's very low this month, hardly spent anything. A look in the Age Uk charity shop as well. I have wanted a lightweight smart jacket to wear when it isn't cold enough for a thick winter jacket, and not warm enough to go without a jacket. This one will fit the bill. I like the big pockets, it's nice and long and covers my bum, (hate short jackets), and it's like new.   

And it's only £1. I felt a bit guilty for handing over just £1, so I put some change in the charity box. When I have a sort out at home I always bring my unwanted items in here, it's the best charity shop in town.

I was a bit limited for time, so I did a quick dash round Aldi to pick up a few essentials. I haven't needed to go to Tesco this week, so a top up shop will do. Broccoli, carrots, cucumber, 39p each. Bananas 68p, I always count the bananas because they can range from 6 huge fruits to 9 small fruits. I couldn't find 9 today so had to make do with 8. The funny thing is you can buy a bag of fun size bananas which don't have any more in, but they are 99p.

Remember the curtains I got for £1, I got them for my friend but they don't fit his window. I am turning them into shopping bags. This is one I have just knocked up. It is a bit different because I have put a lining in it, just to see if it works. Yes it makes a good strong bag, and probably waterproof, but it is a bit wonky, one side is a fraction bigger than the other side. However, if anyone would like my wonky bag please leave a comment, and I will pick a name out of a hat, or a bucket, or any other receptacle I have handy. I will post it out to anywhere in the world. Closing date Sunday 24th 6pm BST.

It is very strong, will carry a load of spuds, or library books, and is an ilona original, albeit a bit wonky. .

Enjoy the Bank Holiday weekend. Toodle pip

Fit for human consumption + 2 winners

Good evening from a wet and misty North Lincolnshire. The weather has been pretty dull all day, with heavy downpours on and off. Hope it picks up in time for my long walk. I've had a rethink on the start date and put it back a couple of days. There's a bank holiday next weekend and if the weather is good it will bring crowds of day trippers and long weekenders out across the Pennines, possibly making it difficult for me to find a bed. I'd rather hit those places midweek giving me a better chance. Should work out ok. 

Now these leaves don't look very tasty, a nice snack for a rabbit maybe. I've been saving them up, left over bits from a cauliflower, and the heart of a cabbage a week past it's sell by date. Should be enough to make a couple of bowls of soup.  

All the best bits chopped up in a pan. I did take the manky leaves to a neighbours two white rabbits, they were chuffed, ha ha. These were boiled up and some beansprouts and spices added. Curry powder, turmeric, wholegrain mustard, and garlic powder.

Then I zapped it with the stick blender, and just before serving I added two spoons of plain yogurt. A nice spicy soup with a slice of wholemeal bread, it went down a treat, and enough left for tomorrow.

Right, here is the moment you have all been waiting for. The winners of the two home made ilona bags

Tricia
and
Maggie

Please send a comment including your name and postal address (which I won't publish), and I will get the bags off to you pronto. So sorry I don't have enough bags for everyone, it would be lovely if I could afford to send more. Thank you all for taking the time to read my blog and comment, I appreciate it. 

Now it's the weekend again. If it isn't raining in the morning I will do the Parkrun. Anyone else doing it? Whatever you are doing I hope it is a good weekend for you.

Toodle pip. 

ilona original designer bag

After Sue sent me a picture of herself with her 'ilona' bag, from Scotland, I put a call out for any more photo's of the bags I have sent out. I had an email. Thank you to the lovely Shabana for modelling an original 'ilona' bag. As you can see she is on holiday by the seaside. She says the bag is coming in very handy, carrying all her stuff around, including her flask of coffee, and is coping with the rain very well.  

Shabana takes her favourite designer bag into the Pier Pavilion at Southport, to sit down and drink her coffee and enjoy the gorgeous view. Next week she will be back at school when the 'ilona' bag is used for carrying her books backwards and forwards. I'm glad you are finding it useful.

I will make a new page for the bags, so if anyone else wants to send a photo, with a short description of where in the world they are, I will add it to the page. In the meantime I have two more bags to send out. They have over the shoulder handles like the one Shabana is carrying. If you want one drop me a comment here, and I will draw two names out. Will post anywhere in the world. Closing at 6pm UK time on Friday. Good luck.
Toodle pip.

Oooops, almost forgot. Two of our kitty's have been rehomed this week. They have been in the pens for a few months, so it's great that they have at last gone to a new forever home. We wanted them to go together, and they weren't that young so they were being overlooked. But a kind family came along and fell in love with them. We are so pleased that it's a happy ending.

And another winner

The rest of the shopping bags have gone off in the post today so look for the postman if you are a winner. I had a couple of old bubble wrap bags left over from when someone sent me something. I always save any packaging, you never know when it will come in handy. Anyway, I had a look around to see what else I could use. I don't believe in buying new bags, or envelopes, I always try to reuse and recycle where I can.

I've got some old dry dog food bags, been saving them, they are so strong, a shame to throw them away. This is what I did. I flattened one out, and cut the bottom off about an inch from the end.

Then I turned it inside out.

This tape is useful for all kinds of jobs, I got it from the Scrapstore.

Pull a piece out and lay it sticky side up on the table. Put one of the open ends half way over it, and cut it to the right length. Then fold the other half over to enclose the end. 

Both ends are sealed now.

Next to put the address label on it. I found that sellotape doesn't stick to it, so it really needs something super sticky. I used a slightly narrower blue tape, a very strong and very sticky tape. The labels are cut up old Christmas cards. I put a blank label on as well, so the lady in the Post Office could stick her stickers on it, although she did say that they would stick on the bag itself.

 I finished off by putting a smaller label on the back for the senders name and address.

There you are, a good way to use up what you already have. A strong parcel that will stand up to any amount of throwing about by Parcel Force, and should still be intact when it lands on the other side of the pond.  

Ooooh look, I've made another shopping bag, the colour is not quite right on the pic, it's more of a dusky pink. Another giveaway, so I have drawn another name out.

This time the winner is.........Claire. So, if you are reading this, please send me your name and address, and I'll get it off to you pronto. You can email, or put it in a comment, which I won't publish and will delete as soon as I have made a note of it. Well done Claire, hope you like your posh shopping bag.
Toodle pip.

A decision, a cheap fix, a disaster, and two more winners

Thanks for all your comments on yesterdays post about BG and Smart Meters. I think most are in agreement that the best course of action would be to do nothing. After reading the bumph they sent me, and perusing the Smart Meter frequently asked questions and answers web page, I hereby declare that I will do nothing. My decision is based on these points.

From their web site.

Do I have to have a smart meter?

No. Smart meters are progressively replacing traditional analogue meters, which means that from 2014 to 2019 they will be rolled out as standard across the country. There is no legal obligation on individuals to have one, but anyone refusing would miss out on the benefits. Suppliers are required to install smart meters, and in fact at British Gas we are committed to upgrading all our customers by taking steps to reach everyone. (miss out on what benefits exactly? I can't see any for me at all)

Will the upgrade to smart metering make meter readers redundant?
Smart technology transforms the way we take meter reads and will mean an end to pedestrian meter reading. However, our dedicated Smart Team are hiring around 2,100 people to install our customers meters and we will continue to conduct periodic safety inspections of all meters. (of course they will be made redundant, eventually, when all houses have the meters. Also, meter readers retiring or leaving to go to another job, will not be replaced, so jobs will be lost)

A bit taken from their leaflet.
Once you've got a Smart Meter you can still change supplier, your rights haven't changed. Not all suppliers use Smart Meters yet so your new supplier may not be able to support some aspects of it. You won't need a new meter, it would automatically change back to a 'standard' meter and work in the same way they do today. (I think this is going to create a great deal of confusion if all suppliers are not moving forward with new technology at the same time. I can see this making it even more difficult to change suppliers, and creating more problems)

We're committed to giving you more choice and control.
If you don't want to have a Smart Meter installed yet, just tell us. (thanks I will, when you ring and ask me)

Right, moving swiftly on, I have no more time for this topic. Noodles, what do you think of them? I used to like Super Noodles, I think they were a well known brand, but they went up in price so I stopped buying them. Also, they are not a particularly healthy type of food, so consumption should be limited. I popped into Aldi the other day for some fresh veg, and picked up a packet of their super cheap Instant Noodles, 18p I believe, thrown the till receipt away.

I had them for lunch yesterday, took a photo of the meal, but I seem to have deleted it  :o( Anyway, I had them with watercress and raw mushrooms. I must say, they weren't too bad, as a cheap and quick to prepare filler. The seasoning wasn't very tasty though, a bit wishywashy, so I added some of my own to perk it up a bit. I will get them again, just as a standby in case I come in late and want something to eat quickly without too much messing about in the kitchen.

Here's what happens when I multi task, ha ha. I zip around the house like something demented sometime, six jobs going at the same time. Half a tin of rice pudding in a mug, zapped in the microwave. I never set the timer, always just guess how long it needs. Got distracted, oooops, scrape half of it off the glass plate, ha ha.

Now what have we got here? Yep, two more shopping bags made. So if you thought you missed out on the first lot, you were in with a chance for these. No need to comment again to win them, I used the names still in the basket and pulled out two more.

I will not put you through the same agonies as before, so drum roll please, here are the winners.

 

Congratulations. Please send me your postal address and I will get them off to you. You can email me, or put it in a comment which I will not publish.

I sent two bags off yesterday to Jess and Markdebby, but I have not been able to send the third, because I don't have an address. So, Elaine near Philly, you requested yours to go to your friend in Lincolnshire. I have sent you two emails, but not had a reply. Perhaps you could put the address in a comment for me. Thank you so much. A note about postage. If I say I will post anywhere in the world, I mean it, at my expense, I budget for it. It's very kind that people offer to pay for postage, but, don't send me anything, not a bean. Too much hassle, I don't do Paypal, and I don't need it. I just enjoy giving.
Toodle pip.

One year older

Well, I'm one year older, another year has been and gone. Now I start on number 65, wonder what it will bring, more of the same I hope. The only part of me which is deteriorating at the moment is my memory, can't for the life of me remember where I put my teeth, only joking, God forbid when I have to have dentures, ha ha. This morning I couldn't find my specs, hopeless without them, on my hands and knees next to the bed, Heidi cat had knocked them onto the floor.

Thank you all for your good wishes and kind words, I'm feeling a bit guilty though. The card thing was a joke, you didn't really think I had that many did you? Ooops, ha ha. You know me, a bit of a clown. Some of those cards are more than forty years old, some were sent to my mother from me and my sister and brother, and I can't bear to part with them. There are so many memories there, to be treasured until the day I die. 

I actually only had three cards, which I am pleased about, I tell people not to bother because I have all the cards I need. I don't expect anyone to send me a card, because I don't send them one. I would much rather pick up the phone and speak to friends and family to keep in touch.

My day was enjoyable, this morning I took my two black lab friends for a walk along the hills. The cargo boat was heading out towards the Humber and the North Sea, after docking upstream at either Gunness or Flixborough. I watched it zigzag from one bank to the other to avoid the sandbanks. It's very shallow in places.

Alfie and Ollie posing for the camera. Now the woods are greening up it is lovely with the sunlight flickering through the trees.

I couldn't be bothered to make lunch, so I had it out, in the local cafe in the High Street. Please note, that this was a one off, I will not be doing it again. The sandwich was £4.50 and the drink 90p.

It's a popular cafe in the mornings for breakfast, and they have a Bistro Night from time to time, which is always sold out.

This afternoon I had a bimble around town. I paid a bill at the bank, had a look in a couple of charity shops, picked up a few essentials from B & M Discount Store, and looked round the exhibitions in the Arts Centre.

Now was there anything else I should mention? Ah yes, before I forget, the winners of the three shopping bags. Here they are, well done. I need three postal addresses from you please so I can get them off to you pronto. My email address is on the side bar. Sorry that you all couldn't win, maybe next time when I make some more bags. Someone asked if I sell them, sorry, I don't. I would rather give them away, don't want to get into the situation of running a small business, it's a hobby which I fit in around everything else I do.

Someone also asked about buying a cat food pouch bag. I made them to show what can be made from recycling rubbish. I use them for demonstration purposes when I do talks for groups, to encourage others to have a go, and think about the rubbish they throw away. I haven't got time to make any more at the moment.
Catch you tomorrow. Toodle pip.

Who has won?

Woopsadaisy, a bit late tonight, I've been chattering to John on the Skype from Don't Unplug Your Hub, blame him, ha ha. I thought I would have a different kind of lunch today, something sweet for a change. I fried up some slices of Polenta in a little olive oil.

Put it on a plate with a chopped banana, a few peach slices, and drizzled with honey. Next microwave it for a minute.

Add some plain yogurt and chopped nuts. What was it like? Sort of quite nice-ish. I think the fruit and honey would have been alright by itself, the Polenta did nothing to make it any better. My conclusion is that Polenta is best served in a savoury dish, as an alternative to Quorn, as the texture is similar to that. I will buy it again but not as a regular food, just sometimes for something a bit different. I wouldn't rave over it, it's ok but not great, I wouldn't buy it in a packet and cook it myself, too much messing about in the kitchen. I would get the ready made stuff. 

I have three bags to send out to three lucky winners.

All finished, the colour is darker than is shown in the photo's, don't know why that is, I didn't use a flash.

And here is John to witness that the draw took place fair and square. He saw my every movement as I reached in for three names. No cheating, I didn't look.

Here they are, in a basket, ready to pick out the winners. Do you like my mouse mat behind it.

And the winners are .................Oh, I think I'll leave it till tomorrow, it's getting a bit late, and no one will be still up at this time waiting for the announcement, will they?

Goodnight, sleep tight, don't let the bugs bite. Toodle Pip.